A topic that has been touched upon in the "most overated thread" is: how many times around does it take to "get" (understand) certain golden age and modern courses? Many of the Golden Age's best may take mutiple plays under varying conditions to begin or in may cases "fully comprend" and understand their greatness, changing winds, different pin positions and the various optimal angles of attack. I have often found on some of the older courses enjoying them more, the more often I have been lucky enough to play them, Merion, NGLA and Seminole are 3 great US examples, TOC might be the best non US example.
Whereas with many modern courses with certain exceptions, the first time around is the best and subsequent rounds may still be interesting but I find my feelings, rankings going south and not north. Examples might be Stanwich, Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay,Nantucket, Hudson National, Dorado Beach.... exceptions, Sand Hills, Friar's Head, Rustic Canyon and Wild Horse.
It must be something about the architecture, the inability to see mans hand, or at least the archie's use of the land in harmony with what he needed to do and the strategic elements that many times make certain courses almost different from day to day. (wind and sandy soil, sure don't hurt)